# Agha Hasan Askari

Agha Hasan Askari (28 January 1945 – 30 October 2023) was a Pakistani film director, producer and screenwriter of the Lollywood industry. Before joining Tariq Masood Qureshi, he started his career as an assistant director on the Punjabi titles Chan Makhana and Sajan Pyaara by Kaifi. His first film as a director was Khun Pasina starring Firdous, Sultan Rahi, Rukhsana and Agha Talish.

## Early life and education

Born in Lahore and a M.A. in English Literature, Askari was fond of writing since his college days, during these times being the editor of Faran, the magazine of leftist National Students Federation (NSF), and throughout his life would remain a committed Marxist, which would influence the social message in his movies.

## Career

During his career, Askari directed around 60 Punjabi and Urdu films, besides producing 10 of them. Among his memorable works in more than 60 projects are Wahshi Jat, Khun Pasina, Salkheen, Khazana, Jannat Ki Taan, Aag, Be Qarar, Duriyan and Tere Piyar Main is included. Notably, Askari is credited with introducing the iconic Sultan Rahi as "Maula Jat", introducing his iconic Gandasa in the groundbreaking 1975 film Wehshi Jatt, years before the iconic Maula Jatt film.

## Death

Askari died on 30 October 2023, at the age of 78. He had been suffering from lung cancer for a long time and was undergoing treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore. His funeral prayer was performed after noon prayer at his residence on Alamgir Street in Lahore.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Language |
| 1972 | Khoon Paseena | Punjabi |
| 1972 | Sir Dhar Di Bazi | Punjabi |
| 1972 | Heera | Punjabi |
| 1973 | Ghairat Da Nishan | Punjabi |
| 1975 | Wehshi Jatt | Punjabi |
| 1976 | Toofan | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Aakhri Medan | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Qanoon | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Salakhen | Urdu |
| 1979 | Jeenay Ki Saza | Urdu |
| 1979 | Jatt Da Kharak | Punjabi |
| 1979 | Dada Pota | Punjabi |
| 1979 | Aag | Urdu |
| 1981 | Muftbar | Punjabi |
| 1982 | Kinara | Urdu |
| 1983 | Ek Doojay Kay Liye | Urdu |
| 1984 | Doorian | Urdu |
| 1985 | 2 Hathkarian | Punjabi |
| 1985 | Ham Aur Tum | Urdu/Punjabi |
| 1986 | Beqarar | Urdu |
| 1986 | Akbar Khan | Punjabi |
| 1986 | Talash | Urdu |
| 1986 | Mela | Punjabi |
| 1987 | Ik Si Daku | Punjabi |
| 1987 | Nijat | Urdu |
| 1987 | Sonay Ki Talash | Urdu |
| 1988 | Mafroor | Punjabi |
| 1988 | Qatil | Punjabi |
| 1988 | Sherbaz Khan | Punjabi |
| 1990 | Puttar Jaggay Da | Punjabi |
| 1990 | Sher Dil | Punjabi |
| 1991 | Gandasa | Punjabi |
| 1991 | Riaz Gujjar | Punjabi |
| 1992 | Abdullah The Great | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1992 | Pattan | Punjabi |
| 1992 | Achha Shookar Vala | Punjabi |
| 1993 | Iradah | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1993 | BeTaj Badshah | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1993 | Aan | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1995 | Khazana | Urdu |
| 1995 | Jeenay Do | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1996 | Saboot | Pashto |
| 1996 | 2 Jeedar | Punjabi |
| 1997 | Dil Kisi Ka Dost Nahin | Urdu |
| 1999 | Jannat Ki Talash | Urdu |
| 1999 | Jazba | Urdu |
| 1999 | Chohdrani | Punjabi |
| 2000 | Kahan Hay Qanoon | Urdu |
| 2000 | Tere Pyar Mein | Urdu |
| 2001 | Badmash Puttar | Punjabi |
| 2001 | Ik Jagga Hor | Punjabi |
| 2002 | Chalo Ishq Larain | Urdu |
| 2002 | Veryam | Punjabi |
| 2004 | Sassi Punno | Punjabi |
| 2005 | Bau Badmash | Punjabi |
| 2008 | Basanti | Punjabi |
| 2013 | Dil Praey Des Mein | Urdu |
| 2014 | Dastan | Pashto |

## Awards

* National Film Awards (two-times)
* Pride of Performance